I find the abuse that people like Owen Farrell and world cup officials have received online to be unbelievable, not only online but this has spilled over to actual games with Farrell again in the firing line in games at Sale and in South Africa and Ugo Monye being abused at Exeter. Not only have players, officials, pundits, coaches and management been targets but also their families, there is no place for this in our sport so I hope everyone in rugby gets behind the initiative to stamp it out.
Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to express it but there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed. There is always going to be some banter but again there is a line and and as for death threats, I just hope the advances in technology mean that these people are caught and dealt with.
Some players will always divide opinion but they are allowed a life outside of rugby. Faz isn’t a “reality tv star” and keeps his family life private so should be allowed to do that. I thought it was great to see him in the crowd for the Ireland v Italy game, smiling and posing for selfies with fans, and also getting a good reception at Twickenham when he was shown in the crowd on the stadium screens, that’s how it should be.
It has come to my attention recently that this kind of thing even goes on at our club and I’ve seen some of the messages or posts which really shocked me. Last season (the last few in fact) have obviously been difficult but anyone who actually comes to games will I’m sure agree that the support from the Falcons faithful has been fantastic. It’s easy to support a winning team, maybe not so easy to come out on a cold wet Friday evening when things aren’t going well but they have, and in numbers, which I think tells you everything you need to know about our real fans. It sort of feels like adversity has bonded club and fans even more. I don’t know how anyone expects people to perform with a constant barrage of abuse and negativity so would urge all those “armchair warriors” out there to put down their phones and keyboards and to come along, get behind the club and make a positive statement and a positive difference. We are all in this together and we also need to encourage the next generation of players, fans and officials so need to set the right example both at games and across all communication platforms.
I was just reading about all the abuse directed at Raygun the Australian Breakdancer after her Olympic performance. I know nothing about Breakdancing and as to whether it should be at the Olympics is a debate for another time but it was and my understanding is it was one of the things the Olympic committee were introducing to try to attract a wider and maybe younger audience and I understand that but don’t understand the torrent of abuse or why people feel the need to vent so much anger…a television has an off button…if you don’t like it turn it of…it really is that simple and these days you don’t even have to get up to do it, use your remote or even get Alexa to do it.
Like everyone else in sport and entertainment it’s all about bums on seats and numbers watching so advertisers and sponsors get a return so things need to evolve and be tested. The Falcons are continually reviewing their Match Day Experience, I’ve just been reading about Bristol Bears plans to stage a game in Cardiff, along the lines of Saracens and Quins staging games at Tottenham and Twickenham respectively in order to open themselves to a wider market and hopefully bigger fan base so good luck to them, it seems to be a fact of life that standing still in fact is going backwards.
I don’t think anyone was under the illusion that this season would be easy, as our games so far have proved. We were very combative and competitive against Bristol, especially in the first half but couldn’t turn our possession and territory into points and that’s vital. A couple of “if only” moments and some work needed to correct a mostly misfiring lineout but I’m sure it’s just a few adjustments. Every team in every game will have their moments and we need to be more clinical during ours. Good debuts I thought from Tom Gordon and Sammy Arnold in particular and good to see young Joe Davis coming off the bench. I saw some Barnard Castle School jackets in the South Stand, probably some of Joe’s old school mates and Lee Dixon’s current team.
I understand the feeling is that we are stronger and will be more competitive this time out, which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about a certain Mr Diamond.
I don’t think the Argentoona tag still works this season but it was great to have our Argentinian contingent at KP and I’m sure Rubiolo and hopefully the injured Bello will be back soon and have a key roles to play. I think with our small squad it was just too much to have 5 players away with Los Pumas, missing pre-season etc.
Disappointing in particular to lose Brantingham, Johnson and Pepper, obviously we want to hold onto our talented youngsters and not be an academy for other clubs but that’s the same for everyone, it’s just the nature of sport.
We aren’t the only club with talented youngsters as I’m sure anyone who watched any of the U20s 6 Nations and World Cup or came along to the U17s game against Saracens and the U17s + U18s games against Yorkshire will know. With the 3 clubs going out of business and top players being hoovered up by other clubs will players coming through feel they aren’t going to get a real chance so look to move on?
Careers are short, money talks but also it isn’t just about money but the opportunity of a different challenge, lifestyle etc so players are always going to move unless of course they are earning so much no-one else can afford them…BUT how to do that without breaking the salary cap?? or jeopardising the existence of the club?? I have a feeling a couple of teams are trying to come up with answers to those very questions at this very moment.
Quins at a sold out Stoop for round two. Known for being entertainers on the pitch they certainly know how to entertain off it as well so the matchday experience there is always great. Congratulations to Sam Stuart for joining the 100 Club. We got off to a flying start but just like against Bristol couldn’t make our periods of pressure and territory count. When Quins click any team finds it hard to contain them and at one point it looked like they would run away with the game but we dug in, held them and got over the whitewash again. I read a statistic that we won the last 38 mins 7-0 but have no idea what I’m supposed to make of that as the damage had been done and the only stat that really counts is the score at the final whistle. I suppose it shows we are more combative as thinking back to last season and the game at Bristol (not that anyone in these parts wants to think back to that game) it could have headed in that sort of direction. Again, some really good performances but we need to keep teams closer so we don’t have quite as much of an uphill battle. We need to utilise our X Factor players but also need a bit of luck which we don’t seem to get. One of Christian Wades tries for Gloucester against Bristol, the one where he kicked ahead down the line, great try but everything went his way and we could do with a few bounces of the ball going our way. Maybe that bit of extra confidence a win would bring is all we need but it’s very Catch 22 as how do you get that without a win? I’m sure Dimes and everyone else is working on that very conundrum.
Round three brought Leicester Tigers to KP with a 17.30 ko time which I can only think is purely for television purposes. Any hopes of continuing our 2nd half form from the Quins game and putting right last seasons result in the same fixture were quickly dispelled by a very dominant Tigers team who seem to have the knack of getting us to play into their hands. Some lessons to learn in all departments, particularly how to give your wingers space in which they can work. We now have power in midfield and just imagine what our back 3 could do if we can give them the same space that Watson and Hassell-Collins were given. We didn’t adapt to the referee or learn so gave Tigers easy outs and easy territory. Although only 3 games in our points difference is already a big negative and at the end of the season that is worth another point to any teams near us so we really need to not just start picking up points but being a lot closer on the scoreboard and not letting teams get away from us. I’ve read proposals that any promoted club will get 5 years to make the necessary ground improvements, which seems only fair and reasonable but we can’t think for a minute we are safe because Doncaster are unlikely to be Champions and theirs is the only ground meeting the criteria. Not really much more to say, probably a game you just have to admit we were 2nd best in every department and draw a line under but one highlight, Callum Chick clocking up his 150th game.
during the Gallagher Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park, Newcastle on Saturday 5th October 2024. (Photo: Chris Lishman | MI News)
Round 4 and a trip over to the Salford Community Stadium to take on Sale Sharks in the “derby game”
Jonathon and Lisa flying the Supporters Club flag in Salford
Another game we came off 2nd best in all departments. Again, lessons to be learnt in how to get your wide men into space, Radders is always double or treble man marked but that means there should be gaps other places to exploit in their defensive line. No excuses but our injury situation isn’t helping at all.
Round 5 and the visit of Exeter Chiefs to KP. There is a saying “a picture paints a thousand words” so here it is.
No more to be said, just enjoy the win.
during the Gallagher Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park, Newcastle on Friday 18th October 2024. (Photo: Chris Lishman | MI News)
Round 6 and Gloucester at Kingsholm, always a difficult place to go and this was again the story. We got off to our seemingly familiar bad start by conceding a try from wide out in the first few minutes, our set piece, line out in particular functioned (or not) in the same way as most of the season and again we let them get away from us and even with a vastly improved 2nd half performance left ourselves way too much to do. Gloucester had done their homework well, targeted our line out and Sammy Arnold so in effect shut us down. They looked far sharper for the vast majority of the game although some very dodgy decisions further aided their cause but that’s the “Shed effect” and it’s always worth a few decisions and points. Full credit to Alex Hearle who although I’m sure was expecting the reception he got didn’t let it affect him and as always full credit to the players for coming out and meeting the fans afterwards.
So we head into the “break” for the Premiership Cup fixtures with some players having clocked up a lot of hard minutes so far so I’m sure are looking forward to a bit of a chance to rest and recover before we welcome Saracens to KP on Friday 29th Nov, it certainly doesn’t get any easier! A good chance for some players to come in and get some game time and push their claim for a starting shirt or place in the mtchday 23. Hopefully we will also have a few more back after injury as with our squad size we need everyone fit and performing.
A visit to Paton Field to take on Caldy in the first round of the Prem Cup.
Clubs approach the early rounds of the cup differently but the Championship clubs will be taking it very seriously and looking to claim a Premiership club scalp so it’s a balancing act resting players and still being strong enough as these games a real “no win”. We are expected to win comfortably but it’s not quite that simple, just ask Saracens after their game against Trailfinders.
We came through it well, rested a few and a some others got valuable game time. A few tries and 5 points so job done. Freddie Lockwood chalking up his 5oth so congrats to him.
Chris, Lisa and Lesley making our presence known at Caldy.
Doncaster next at KP on Remembrance Sunday and the ultimate definition of a game of two halves. I’m not really sure what happened in the 2nd half but doubt we will get away with slipping away like that against Sale and we were lucky to come away with the win and 5 points, but we did, just as well Brett Connon had his kicking boots on.
The release of new kits is always of great interest and this season we have a new manufacturer in VX3 so there was perhaps added interest regarding what they would come up with. I personally like the VX3 branding, the veni, vedi, vici message. I have always been a big fan of the whole True North ethos and particularly like the concept of “taking our roots away with us” so am a big fan of the new away shirt but would have like to see the True North emblem on all shirts also.
To be honest I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to kits, at one time you could distinguish between a rugby union and rugby league shirt, not so much now and it’s not even easy to distinguish a football kit from a rugby kit, look at the Argentina “away kit” with the diagonal stripe that they used in the World Cup for example. My favourite all time kit being The Barbarians, just very stylish and classy. Fabric technology has advanced like everything else and graphic designs seem to be the “new hoops” and I think they work especially well with things like the charity shirts where designs can be more creative and not stick within club colours or designs but as far as normal shirts go, Argentina (home) and clubs like Gloucester, Bath and Northampton (home shirts) always seem to manage to update their shirts while sticking close to traditions, although having said that I see Gloucester have given up their hoops for a mostly red shirt which isn’t as classy in my opinion, not that I’m expecting the Shed faithful to care what I think. Good to see the Bears back in hoops but I’m not at all sure about their away kit.
I think the only kit that works as one colour is black so I’m pleased to see us sticking to predominantly that and also not adopting what seems to be a Harry Hill style collar like the All Blacks have! I’ve liked us using green in away kits as a nod to the past but having said that the completely green kit of a few seasons ago was a shocker, the shirt on it’s own was fine but add shorts and socks…just too much, why not add black contrast, a couple of black hoops, black stripes on the shorts and hooped socks. We certainly haven’t been the only club with kits that the Fashion Police should have done something about (Sale’s new away kit? just too much orange) so it’s good to have an away shirt that represents not only The Falcons but the North East also…good job design team apart from not including the True North emblem. I have no idea why it isn’t included this season so will try to find out.
It would seem the league will remain at 10 teams, is this the planned future or just something that suits the RFU and Premiership Rugby for now so they don’t have to make any decisions?
With the breaks in fixtures around 6 Nations time and also around Autumn Internationals time it obviously goes a long way to diffusing any club v country issues (as well as providing somewhere to slot in the Prem Cup) This whole area has been just ignored and although I hate to use the F word, Football has always tackled this problem head on and found a workable solution.
I want to see the best England team run out on the pitch whenever they play (whether or not we ever get that is a debate for another time and I’m sure all us armchair managers have our own views on team selection etc) but should that come at the expense of the club game?
Fans quite rightly want to see their own top players playing for them and also see top visiting players running out and not taken away for months on end. This is perhaps more important than ever in light of the long running Premiership financial problems, clubs need to build their fan base and people want to see the best players on the pitch.
Ok someone being away with an International team gives an opportunity to someone else in the squad but this usually happens over the course of a season anyway and can overstretch a small squad.
It always feels like the different governing bodies only have their own interests at heart and not the good of the game and this situation is a sort of solution that they haven’t had to do any work for but as I said is it a long term plan?
Now…I’m not accusing anyone (honest) but what will happen if any club is found to be breaking the salary cap? Saracens were relegated but is this even an option if there is no-one to come up? Not accusing, just saying.
I think having Championship sides in the Prem Cup is great but leaving Chinnor and Cambridge out doesn’t seem right all. If there is only room for 10 Championship sides then why not have some kind of play off between the lower placed and newly promoted sides so they at least get a chance. The Championship has had a pretty rough deal all round in the past few seasons and this seems like another thing to add to the list.
I suppose we will have to wait and see exactly what these mean to our game. I’ve read statements such as “to create world leading English teams and thriving professional leagues” which sounds great but I have concerns which I’ve partly raised in the preceding section.
Each player will be given a programme to help them peak for big international games with Borthwick getting the final say on sports science, medical matters and unprecedented influence over fitness and conditioning. What will happen if England want to play someone in a different position to their club position? I’ve read an article recently about England wanting to play Ben Earl at centre, something they have experimented with already. Ok I understand every team has to adjust at times and might need players to fill positions they wouldn’t usually play but surely this is for clubs to decide and the RFU should not have any control over where players are picked to play.
I was interested in what Rob Baxter said, that he felt the RFU were taking advantage, that all clubs needed help during and following covid, it wasn’t given but now help is being offered but clubs will have to give up more control. He did go on to see that he felt a bit more positive after talks with Borthwick so I suppose time will tell.
We have already seen how the Championship has been treated the past few seasons and now 2 clubs are excluded from the Prem Cup, how is the introduction of elite player hybrid contracts going to help non premiership clubs and even premiership clubs who want and need their top players on the pitch? Instead of solving the club vs country problem it could increase it but it is here so we will have to try to make the best of it for all concerned and I know it’s far too early to judge but I was just thinking about players such as James Lowe, ok Leinster have a huge and talented squad but with Irish commitments along with Champions Cup I think he only clocked up around 80 mins in the league for them last season, if I were a Leinster season ticket holder I’d really want and expect to see more of him than that. I know Leinster virtually have different squads for each competition so I don’t know how much of that was because of their own selection and player management policies rather than his central contract but it does make me wonder.
Lots of debate (mostly from Bath fans?) over the summer following the red cards for Ben Obano in the Premiership final and Charlie Ewels for England (again). I do have sympathy for both, all the emotion and pressure of playing in a final and for Charlie obviously wanting to make amends for his last dismissal BUT both were perfect examples of the tackles the powers that be are wanting to eliminate from rugby…contact with the head with no attempt to lower at all and no mitigating circumstances and no arms clear outs. These aren’t new initiatives so I personally don’t see how being able to bring on a sub after 20 mins will help get the message over.
I think the 10 min review during the yellow card period to see if the offence warrants a red is a good idea but not sure we need more than that. Rugby is a collision sport but we need control. Listening to Dimes and other coaches…”penalties and cards will kill you” so this has to sink in.
As always no-one asks my opinion (understandable!) so this idea is I believe being trialled in the Autumn Nations Series so we will just have to hold judgement and see.
Lots of talk about the introduction of “away ends” for fans. I’m not sure where this has come from, probably TNT wanting to increase atmosphere and rivalry for television audiences. I can understand that to an extent but one of the best things about rugby is the way fans mix and after all, those wanting to stand or sit together already arrange to do that when buying tickets. Maybe some clubs will offer discounts to travelling fans for certain parts of their ground but there will always be those who want or even need to sit and those who prefer to stand. There will always be those who want to be in with the main groups of home supporters to get the real atmosphere of the game…I’m sure anyone who has been in The Shed will agree it’s the best place to be at Kingsholm. We have had experience of this before and been offered a discount by a certain club that were the worst seats in the ground that they probably have real trouble filling anyway so I for one am very wary. We have to appreciate that the numbers of Falcons fans travelling big distances to games are not going to be heard over The Shed or Bristol fans in all their numbers so just let us go where we want.
Joe Marler, in typical Joe style sparked off a bit of a “debate” with his comments before the England v New Zealand game in the Autumn Series. I personally don’t have a problem with the Haka and think it adds to the spectacle in the build up but I don’t understand why in Rugby Union, especially when the All Blacks are away that it can’t be challenged or responded to. The Rugby League boys are allowed to challenge it so why on our own turf can’t we?
Maybe we should do a bit of Morris Dancing before games…if that doesn’t confuse and put the opposition off their game, nothing will.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 17: TJ Perenara of New Zealand leads the haka during The Rugby Championship match between New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Eden Park on August 17, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
